JaMarcus Russell stretches out before practice
Photo by Patrick A. Patters/examiner.com
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Three sessions of organized team activities down and one left to go. The last two sessions have both been giant steps forward for JaMarcus Russell, which lifts some of the malaise that had settled in after he had a rough start to the offseason. Besides Russell, the entire offense looked like it was getting on the same page. That was something that was absent in previous practice sessions.
In this space, I was chided earlier in the offseason for focusing on Russell's struggles, however, it is not an overstatement to say that the success or failure of the 2009 edition of the Oakland Raiders rests squarely on Russell's broad shoulders.
It is not just Russell's accuracy and pocket awareness the Raiders need. The Raiders need him to step up and be their field general. He needs to step up and take the team on his shoulders and will them to victory. His teammates need to see that fire and commitment to excellence from him on the field and on the sidelines.
One of my biggest concerns about Russell was not just the accuracy problems, but also what appeared to be a lackadaisical attitude. It was something that was unspoken, but it was visible in his posture. It seemed that he didn't have that look that great leaders have. He often looked like he was slumping, and would have his arms crossed, which is a closed position.
However, as the minicamps progressed, not only has his performance on the field improved, he has also been looking more the part of the leader. He has been more vocal when he makes mistakes. It appears that the light is starting to come on for him. Perhaps having Jeff Garcia around for minicamp and the first OTA, only to have Garcia gone created the void that Russell saw that he needed to fill.
Just as I was not ready to press the panic button with a bad minicamp and OTA, I am not ready to crown him a Pro Bowl candidate off of two improved OTAs. He has shown that he can step things up, and the key will be for him to do it on a consistent basis. Training camp and then the preseason will give a much better picture on where Russell stands, as things will be happening at a much faster pace, and then against a live opponent.
Comments
Russell is the real deal... In Russ We Trust
My guess is that Russell is becoming more confident in the playbook. People tend to get more assertive when they become more confident. Doesn't make much sense to be that vocal leader when you are trying to learn with everyone else.
Russell will be fine. His performance the last couple of wks mean more than OTA performance anyway. With better players (Schilens, JLH, Bush, DMAC, Henderson) will equal better performance.
We know that you can handle it Russell. This is your year.
thanks for the refreshing news
Russell is entering his 2nd full year as a starter. There isn't one 3rd year QB last year that got his team to the playoffs. Cutler was a bust, Young and Lienart both were replaced by veterans. Every one was saying Eli Manning was a bust going into his 4th year. Using the Cardinals as a model, Garcia could very easily step in week 4 and lead the Raiders to the playoffs.
So the premise that success or failure for the Raiders falls on Russell's shoulders isn't true at all. The Raiders have tremendous depth on offense with the addition of Garcia and the healthy veteran running core.
All Russ needs is a solid, productive year. A solid 8-8 or 9-7 and you've got to chalk it up as a step in the right direction. A better record than that and suddenly Oakland is in the playoffs and J Russ is WAY ahead of every young QB ever in terms of success and development.
People are WAY too impatient.
Good Article,
I for one was WAYYYYYYYYY more concerned with his accuracy issues than I was his leadership-Leadership is much the same as respect, you have to earn the latter to become the former..Accuracy however should never fail, especially with his skill set. An strong arm that is inaccurate is a pointless, futile weapon. An accurate weapon however, is deadly. I am absolutely ecstatic that he is back on track with his accuracy and hopefully will improve even further. I like the philosophy of giving the receivers a chance, and if they can't get it, noone can. That is how you play quarterback, your guy gets it or it falls incomplete. I really look forward to watching JRock compete this year. The leadership thing will come. The first thing he needs to do is Just Win Baby!
Because you reported bias misinformation about Russell that a couple of pin heads reported. You're sill doing it. Russell had 1 OTA getting used to Cable sending heat at him, and you guys made it out that Russell was looking horrible.
OR Since Russell wasn't running around like a Manic Rookie. Jumping because Everyone reported wanted their words to strike a nerve..
As a true leader a strong leader. Russell has been unmoved remained calm, cool, and collect. More importantly he stayed in the NOW.
OR Russell being overweight.. Because he's built like a football player... There has been so much talking out the side of the neck. You guys should have snot running down your shoulders..
Last year I couldn't wait to see Russell in action. To see what we got. THIS year, i am really looking forward to unwrapping the package further. There are som serious crow eaters waiting out there.
If Russell fails under light pressure as he has for the past two seasons I hope that quits early. We don't have all those quarterbacks because Jamarcus is a good player. We have them because many of us are expecting him to continue to play uninspiring football. I think that he would rather eat than play football. No matter what befalls him this year he will be able to retire fat, if not happy.
Thanks for the article. This is good to hear after reading your article about how the intensity level just was not there until Big Al stepped onto the practice field during the last OTA. That article was quite disturbing.
The last time the Raiders had a Quaterback from the Mobile area Fairhope,Kenny Stabler he lead the Raiders to a Superbowl. History is about to repeat its self. The Raider team is on the verge of a great run
What the hell does a great leader look like?
I mean what a load of horse s--- and psycho-babble being peddled as analysis.
Is a leader a well-shaven tall Nordic god with good posture. The keys to Russell leading is him making f---ing plays on the field and then the team will follow him anywhere he wants to leads them. Make plays and the leadership will follow.
At this point, it would be really difficult to not improve. We've been so bad for so long that you can only start to assume that things will get better. I think any real fan who has been paying attention the last six years knows that we aren't going to the playoffs next season no matter how accurate JRuss is. If we somehow manage to make it as a wildcard then my guess is it will be our running backs getting us there. Russell will struggle once again, our defense will struggle once again, and with so many elements struggling it is difficult to go anywhere. Hey, but at least we drafted a fast receiver, right Al?
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